ELECTORAL COLLEGE and ELECTORAL PROCESS

Electoral College Electoral votes based on population 270 magic number for candidates - if no one reaches 270, vote taken in House of Representatives Twelfth Amendment - outlines the purpose of the Electoral College and electoral process for President and Vice President - essentially 51 different elections telling state electors how they will cast their vote

Why An Electoral College? Founding Fathers weren’t sure a democracy would work and created Electoral College so states could “choose” Really 51 (includes DC) different elections with people telling their electors who to vote for 700 proposed changes to the Electoral College (more than any other subject)

Proportional Plan - candidate would receive same share of State’s electoral vote as his share of popular vote Direct Popular Plan – allow candidate who won the popular vote to become President; hurts small states or least populated states National Bonus Plan - would keep much of current system intact but weight the winner-take-all feature toward winner of popular vote

Who are the Electors? People elected by their state political parties Can’t be an elector if you currently hold a federal office at time of election Faithless Electors - Electors who vote against the will of the people in the state election - 24 states have laws punishing faithless electors

The Road to the Presidency “Test the waters” Visit talk shows, make appearances in IA and NH, take a book tour, for a PAC to raise money for a cause Create a campaign organization Fundraising, grassroots (especially in early primary states) Raise money

Direct Primary Elections Most common way for a candidate to gain a nomination and held before the general election Primaries - (1/3 to ½ of voters in general election) Open Primary - voters don’t have to declare their party to vote Closed Primary - voters do have to declare their party to vote (Missouri)

NATIONAL CONVENTION Caucus – meetings during convention to adopt party platform Party platform - ideas and principles (planks) that each party writes out to define the major issues of their party and unite the party National Convention is used to select the party’s Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates

Presidential Election Nomination of presidential and vice-presidential candidates by their party Campaign - attempt by candidates to convince you to vote for them Vote on the first Tuesday in November - winner take all system - Have to get 270 votes in Electoral College to win